IN Focus: Congressional race heating up amidst new controversy

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INDIANAPOLIS – A report out by the Associated Press Wednesday said Republican congressional candidate Trey Hollingsworth is registered to live in multiple states.

The Associated Press review of public records showed Hollingsworth’s company filed papers in five states – Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Ohio -- that legally obligate the 33-year-old to live outside Indiana in order to represent his business interests. The report said in at least two of those states, it is a misdemeanor crime to submit a false document.

In response to the report, the campaign told CBS4, “The filings in question were simply a clerical oversight made by an employee no longer with Hollingsworth Capital Partners. The proper and necessary amendments have been drafted and sent to the respective states to ensure all HCP paperwork is in order.”

Nonetheless, the issue has dogged Hollingsworth since he entered the race, as a growing national spotlight highlights the battle between Hollingsworth and Democrat Shelli Yoder in Indiana’s ninth congressional district.

“Hoosiers you have a huge responsibility in front of yourself right now,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said, campaigning for Hollingsworth on Tuesday. “Republicans need to come home. Republicans need to go vote.”

The candidates and outside groups are paying a lot to influence votes as well. An analysis shows the race is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in years in the district.

“It’s a lot of money, especially given it’s a presidential election year,” Laura Albright said, a CBS4 political analyst. “We have a competitive Senate race. We have no shortage of places to put your money, but it tells you again, the more money that is spent into this, it’s a very competitive race. People do see this as an important seat.”

The candidates aren’t holding back either.

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Yoder has attacked Hollingsworth, accusing him of moving into Indiana to run for the seat.

“I’ll tell you what is an issue,” she said. “My opponent going district shopping, moving here from Tennessee and announcing he’s going to try and run and be our representative in Congress.”

Hollingsworth has accused Yoder of rubber-stamping a Hillary Clinton agenda.